Jimmie Johnson Snags Pole in "Ho Hum" Qualifying Session in Phoenix

Jimmie Johnson achieved the first part of his goal of absolute domination at Phoenix International Raceway by securing the pole and that coveted first pit stall selection. This pole is Johnson's sixth for the season but his first at PIR.

Other notable moments from today's qualifying session include:

*Jamie McMurray, who was quick in practice, had a great qualifying effort, securing the outside pole.  Jamie also secured a fiancé, proposing to his girlfriend and joining the ever-growing number of drivers getting engaged this season.

*Kurt Busch was on the pole for most of the early part of the qualifying session.  After the runs by McMurray and Johnson, this other Busch brother will have to settle for the third starting position.

*David Reutimann has been on fire at the end of this season.  He too had a great qualifying effort, ending up in the fourth starting position.

*Dale Earnhardt Jr. had his game face on. Junior also sported some budding facial hair on that game face, perhaps getting an early start to the off-season.  Junior's car was fast in practice, so he was hoping to secure that elusive pole.  Unfortunately, he will have to settle for the fifth starting position. 

*Flyin' Ryan Newman looked pretty racy in qualifying.  He will start in his No. 12 car in the sixth position for the race.

*Jimmie Johnson's other teammate, Jeff Gordon, had the opportunity to go for a pole run. However, he overdrove the corners and will have to settle for the seventh position.

*The rest of the top ten are Denny Hamlin in eighth; Paul Menard in ninth; and Mark Martin in 10th.

*Kevin Harvick is doing triple duty, running the Truck, Nationwide, and Cup races.  Happy qualified in the 19th starting position.

*Greg Biffle had an eventful qualifying run, hitting the wall at almost exactly the same spot in each of his two qualifying laps. The Biff will start in the 31st position.

*Marcos Ambrose was the last to go out to qualify and had to get in on time.  The only problem: his car wouldn't start.  They finally got it cranking and out he went, securing the 18th starting spot.

*Kyle Petty ran his final qualifying laps this season with an uncertain future for 2009.  He had to qualify into the race on time and he did so, starting in the 35th position.

*Front Row Joe Nemechek was in the last row when qualifying was said and done.  He will not race on Sunday, his first missed race since mid-May of this year.

As Johnson confidently signed the Coors Light Pole Banner, it seems that total domination for that No. 48 Lowe's team is in sight.  And with that domination, the Championship may also soon be in their grasp.